Metatarsal pad



Dec. 12, 1950 H. G. MCCORMICK 2,533,601

METATARSAL PAD Filed Aug. 9, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR. HAZEL G. Mc CORM/CK ATTOI? IVE Y5 H. G. M CORMICK METATARSAL PAD Dec. 12, 1950 2 SheetsSheec 2 Filed Aug. 9, 1948 INVENTOR. HAZEL- G. MCCORMICK ATTQQNEY Patented Dec. 12, 1950 UNITED STATES '1' ENT OFFICE 12 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a metatarsal pad for fitting under the metatarsal arch of the foot of a person and has for one of its objects the provision of a metatarsal pad that is more comfortable than heretofore,- and that is provided with means for more securely holding the pad in position and that is also more sanitary and easier to position and to-remove.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of means associated with a metatarsal pad. for quickly and easily securing the pad in the correct position on the foot of the wearer.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a simple means for properly posi tioning a metatarsal pad on the foot of a wearer, and which means is so constructed and positioned as to be concealed beneath a slipper or oxford, and which means does not bend the foot nor project in a manner to cause uncomfortable pressure on the foot when covered by a portion or the shoe.

Most metatarsal pads heretofore have been on the order of an elastic bandage type in which an elastic strap encircles the foot adjacent the toes and carries the metatarsal. pad in amanner. intended to hold the pad against the foot. Such straps produce objectionable localized heating, and do not effectively hold the pad in position since the pad tends to be pushed rearwardly and 'in most actually moves rearwardly on the foot during the time the wearer walks. Furthermore, the straps create uncomfortable binding on. the foot that in many instances causes pain unless specially fitted.

With the present invention the above objec tions are overcome.

In the drawings, Fig. 1' is a plan view of one form of the invention as seen from the normally upper side of the pad.

Fig. 2 is an edge view of the invention shown in Fig. I.

3 is an end ed e View of the invention as seen from the pad end.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a. slightly difierent form of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of a portion of foot with the device of Fig. 1 in position thereon.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of a portion of a foot with the device of Fig. 1 thereon.

Fig. '7 is a bottom plan view of a portion of a foot with the device of Fig. 4' thereon.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a portion of a foot with the device of Fig. 4 thereon.

In detail, the device of Figs. 1 to 3, and 5, 6 comprises a metatarsal pad i that may be about oval in outline, and which pad is preferably of soft, resilient material, such as what is generally known asfoam rubber. This pad is relatively thick at its center and becomes progressively thinner toward the edges; coming to practically a feather edge around all of its edges. The egg shaped pad gives full support to the fifth metatarsal head at the weakest point in metatarsal trouble.

Pad i is preferably substantially flat on one side and is rounded out on the other side. A plurality of straight through passageways 2 may be formed in said pad parallel with the flat side (Fig. 1). These passageways may extend generally parallel with the flat side and transversely relative to the major axis of the pad.

Straps 3, l may extend into or through any two oithese openings. These straps are preferably integrally j cined at 5 at one side of the pad making their end portions of a single strap. However, itis to be understood that under certain circumstances the straps 3, A need not be integrally connected, but one of the end portions of each may be secured in any suitable ms ner to the fiat side of pad it. The present structure provides one of several possible ways of'making the straps adjustable relative to the pad I.

The free ends of straps 3, 4 each extend through one of separate spaced openings 5' in an elongated member 6 of relatively soft' but semi-rigid material. such as rubber or a composition material;

The terminating end portions 1 of said straps, after passing through one of said openings 5", may be turned back to extend through one of the adiacent openings 5, thus effectively snubhing the straps so that the strap ends will be securely held by the member upon: any pull being placed on the pad-J.

In actual practice the pad I is positioned below the foot 8 (Fig. 5) so that the dome or rounded side of the pad will fit in the metatarsal arch. When in this: position, the longitudinal axis of the pad is usually along the dot-dash line 9-9. The fiat side of'the pad is lowermost.

The straps 3, fl extend between pairs of adjacent toes; Usually strap 4 will extend between the first and second toes (starting from the large toe as being the 1st toe), and strap 5. will. extend between the third and fourth toes.

The elongated member 5 is preferably flat on one side and rounded on the other, and: is relatively thin. IThe flat side will be against the upper sides. of. the toes and will" extend across the junctures of the first and second, and the third and fourth toes (Fig. 6) when the straps 3, 4 are pulled taut through member 6 so that no rearward movement of the pad i can occur. After the straps are drawn taut the ends 1 are threaded back through openings 5' adjacent those through which the straps have been initially drawn, thus locking the straps to said members 6 against accidental slippage relative thereto.

After the pad has been positioned as above described, a stocking is drawn over the foot, thereby holding the pad against the foot in its proper position, or else the foot is inserted into a shoe or the like, whereby the shoe will hold the pad in position against the sole of the foot and in the metatarsal arch.

The provision of several passageways 2 in pad I in excess of the pair actually used enables the straps to be adjusted on the pad so that a straight uniform pull will be on each strap when the pad is properly adjusted. Sometimes the straps must be more widely spaced than at other times in order that the pad will remain in the correct position.

The angle of the longitudinal axis lS-lil (Fig. 5) of the elongated member 6 relative to the axis 99 is usually very slight, but with the structure as above described, this angle may be considerably changed to meet any unusual condition.

There must be no objectionable projections on the straps, such as adjusting buckles etc, since the said straps pass almost immediately from the member 5 to between the toes on the foot. Buckles would hurt the toes if between them, and if below the foot they would damage the stocking and would be uncomfortable. Any projections above the member 5 would also tend to be uncomfortable and would damage the stocking.

straps 3, 5 may be of relatively soft, moisture resistant plastic material, or of relatively inelastic rubber. Thus there is no objectionable absorption of moisture or odor and the pads, straps and member 5 may be quickly cleaned if desired.

In some instances it is desirable that the pad 6 be held closely against the sole of the foot at all times, even when the shoes and stockings are removed.

Figs. 4, '7, 8 show identically the same structure as in Figs. 1, 5, 6 except that an acditional strap 15 is provided, which strap is secured to the underside of pad I and extends around the foot adjacent the toes. Strap l5 passes between straps 3, 4, thus when the straps 3, 4 are tightened, as seen in Fig. 8, the strap [5 will automatically be tightened.

It is obvious that strap l5 may also be adjustable, or it may be slightly elastic. In any event, the said strap is quite narrow in comparison to straps or bands previously employed in about the same position, and there is no objectionable binding of the strap on the foot inasmuch as the pad does not rely solely upon this strap to hold it against shifting on the foot, and said strap l5 performs no function in holding the pad against slipping rearwardly on the foot.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the precise details shown and described. Such details are merely examples of the preferred form.

I claim:

1. A metatarsus support comprising a soft pad of resilient material adapted to be placed in a position under the metatarsal arch of a foot, means secured to said pad adapted to extend therefrom between an adjacent pair of toes on said foot and a holding member carried by said means adapted to extend over the upper side of at least one of said pair of toes for preventing rearward movement of said pad in direction away from said toes.

2. A metatarsus support comprising a soft pad of resilient material adapted to be placed in a position under the metatarsal arch of a foot, means secured to said pad adapted to extend therefrom between an adjacent pair of toes on said foot and a holding member carried by said means adapted to extend over the upper sides of said pair of toes for preventing rearward movement of said pad in direction away from said toes.

3. A metatarsus support comprising a soft pad of resilient material adapted to be placed in a position under the metatarsal arch of a foot, spaced means secured to said pad adapted to extend between different adjacent pairs of toes on said foot, and holding means secured to said spaced means adapted to extend over an adjacent pair of said toes for preventing rearward movea ment of said pad in direction away from said toes.

4a. A metatarsus support comprising a soft pad of resilient material adapted to be placed in a position under the metatarsal arch of a foot, means secured to said pad adapted to extend therefrom between an adjacent pair of toes on said foot and a holding member carried by said means adapted to extend over the upper side of at least one of said pair of toes for preventing rearward movement of said pad in direction away from said toes, and means connected with said pad adapted to extend over the said foot transversely of its length for holding said pad from shifting laterally relative to said length.

5. A metatarsus support comprising a soft pad of resilient material adapted to be placed in a position under the metatarsal arch of a foot, a pair of elongated flexible elements connected with said pad at one end of their ends and extending therefrom in spaced relationship, said elements being adapted to extend between different adjacent pairs of toes on said foot, and a member connected with the ends of said elements that are remote from said pad adapted to extend over the upper sides of an adjacent pair of said toes for holding said pad from slipping rearwardly in direction away from said toes.

6. A metatarsal support comprising a soft pad of resilient material adapted to be placed in a position under the metatarsal arch of a foot, a pair of elongated flexible elements connected with said pad at one of their ends and extending there; from in spaced relationship, said elements being adapted to extend between different adjacent pairs of toes on said foot, and a member connected with the ends of said elements that are remote from said pad adapted to extend over the upper sides of an adjacent pair of said toes for holding said pad from slipping rearwardly in direction away from said toes, and means connected with said pad adapted to extend over said foot for holding said pad against said arch when said foot is bare and is lifted from the floor or ground.

'7. A metatarsus support comprising a soft pad of resilient material adapted to be placed in a position under the metatarsal arch of a foot, a pair of elongated flexible elements connected with said pad at one of their ends and extending therefrom in spaced relationship, said elements being adapted to extend between different adjacent pairs of toes on said foot, and a member connected with the ends of said elements that are remote from said pad adapted to extend over the upper sides of an adjacent pair of said toes for holding said pad from slipping rearwardly in direction away from said toes, a narow strap secured at its ends to said pad and adapted to eX- tend over said foot at a point adjacent said toes for holding said pad against said arch when said foot is bare and is lifted free from the floor or ground.

8. A metatarsus support comprising a soft pad of resilient material adapted to be placed in a position under the metatarsal arch of a foot, a pair of elongated flexible elements connected with said pad at one of their ends and extending therefrom in spaced relationship, said elements being adapted to extend between different adjacent pairs of toes on said foot, and a member connected with the ends of said elements that are remote from said pad adapted to extend over the upper sides of an adjacent pair of said toes for holding said pad from slipping 'rearwardly in direction away from said toes, means for adjustably securing said elements to said member to permit different spacing of the ends of said elements at said member.

9. A metatarsus support comprising a soft pad of resilient material adapted to be placed in a position under the metatarsal arch of a foot, a pair of elongated flexible elements connected with said pad at one of their ends and extending therefrom in spaced relationship, said elements being adapted to extend between different adjacent pairs of toes on said foot, and a member connected with the ends of said elements that are remote from said pad adapted to extend over the upper sides of an adjacent pair of said toes for holding said pad from slipping rearwardly in direction away from said toes, means for adjustably securing said elements to said member to permit lengthening or shortening of the portions of said elements that are adapted to extend between said member and said pad as desired.

10. A metatarsus support comprising a soft pad of resilient material adapted to be placed in a position under the metatarsal arch of a foot, a pair of elongated flexible elements connected with said pad at one of their ends and extending therefrom in spaced relationship, said elements being adapted to extend between different adjacent pairs of toes on said foot, and a member connected with the ends of said elements that are remote from said pad adapted to extend over the upper sides of an adjacent pair of said toes for holding said pad from slipping rearwardly in di rection away from said toes, said pad being'relatively thick at its central portion and being progressively thinner in directions away therefrom to terminate in relatively thin edges, means for adjustably securing said elements to said pad for changing the points at which said elements extend from said pad toward said toes.

11. A metatarsus support comprising a soft pad of resilient material adapted to be placed in a position under the metatarsal arch of a foot, elongated fiexible means adjustably secured at one end thereof to said pad for extending from said pad at diiferent points to between an adjacent pair of the toes of said foot and means for so securing said one end to said pad, a holding member adjustably secured to said means at the end thereof remote from said pad for extending over an adjacent pair of said toes at different distances from said pad and means for so securing said member to said means.

12. A metatarsus support comprising a soft pad of resilient material adapted to be placed in a position under the metatarsal arch of a foot, elongated flexible means adjustably secured at one end thereof to said pad for extending from said pad at different points to between an adjacent pair of the toes of said foot and means for so securing said one end to said pad, a holding member adjustably secured to said means at the end thereof remote from said pad for extending over an adjacent pair of said toes at different distances from said pad and means for so securing said member to said means, means for adjustably securing the end of said means to said member for movement to various positions along said member as desired.

HAZEL G. MCCORMICK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,898,092 McCormick Feb. 21, 1933 2,099,401 Jungmann Nov. 16, 1937 

